Information published on 16 October 2018 in the UIC electronic newsletter "UIC eNews"
Nr 618.

Germany: DB revolutionises precise deliveries with what3words

Europe

News from UIC members

On 10 October, DB Schenker announced the integration of what3words location technology in the eSchenker portal, improving operational efficiencies by allowing deliveries to be made to any precise three by three meter squares. what3words has divided the world into this squares, each with a unique address made from three dictionary words – a 3 word address. ///smiling.always.seating for example refers to the exact three meter square of the front door to the DB Schenker Head Office in Essen.

The what3words integration will enable more than 110,000 DB Schenker clients, who make over 500,000 bookings a month, to optimize their supply chains by specifying pick-up and drop-off points using a 3 word address.

Markus Sontheimer, CIO/CDO of DB Schenker said: “Our cooperation with what3words is another new service of DB Schenkers connect strategy towards a fully digital eco-system. Especially with regard to trade shows or exhibitions, it provides our drivers with exact delivery points and thus allows us to serve our customers even faster and better.”

Clare Jones, CCO of what3words added: “In a recent study conducted in Germany, we found that 73% deliveries struggle to find a home or business address. And, in more than a quarter of cases, delivery drivers have to seek additional information in order to locate an exact drop-off point. what3words solves this problem for both sides - improving efficiencies and improving customer experience.”

Logistics companies around the world face a global challenge: imprecise addressing. Large sites such as factories, warehouses or events spaces often have several access points, making specific drop-off locations or delivery entrances extremely hard to identify and navigate to. The DB eSchenker portal is paving the way in the logistics industry. By adopting new technologies such as what3words, shipments get to their destination securely and on time, maintaining the highest standard of customer service possible.

Deutsche Bahn invested in what3words in 2016, with the two companies working together on the future of logistics and transportation.